“My dear Lord Chief Baron,—It is with much pleasure I have to communicate to you that my colleagues unanimously agree with me in the propriety of submitting your name to the Queen for the Peerage. Your long and distinguished services and your great abilities will confer honor on any station; and your high character will give additional lustre to those qualities which have marked you out for her Majesty's choice. I am both proud and delighted, my Lord, that it has fallen to my lot to be the bearer of these tidings to you; and with every assurance of my great respect and esteem, I am, most sincerely yours,
“Ellerton.”
“At last,” cried Haire,—“at last! But I always knew that it would come.”
“And what answer have you returned?” cried Lendrick, eagerly.
“Such an answer as will gladden your heart, Tom. I have declined the proffered distinction.”
“Declined it! Great God! and why?” cried Haire.
“Because I have passed that period in which I could accommodate myself to a new station, and show the world that I was not inferior to my acquired dignity. This for my first reason; and for my second, I have a son whose humility would only be afflicted if such greatness were forced upon him. Ay, Tom, I have thought of all it would cost you, my poor fellow, and I have spared you.”
“I thank you with my whole heart,” cried Lendrick, and he pressed the old man's hand to his lips.
“And what says Lucy?” said the Judge. “Are you shocked at this epidemic of humility amongst us, child? Or does your woman's heart rebel against all our craven fears about a higher station?”
“I am content, sir; and I don't think Tom, the miner, will fret that he wears a leather cap instead of a coronet.”